The Race is On-Embryonic Stem Cell(0) Adult Stem Cells (77)

Of course adult stem cells were first discovered about forty years ago.  All progress in curing humanity's many ailments is wonderful.  Adult stem cells have great promise and have already given cures.  ESC is only a few years old, less than ten.  When both contestants have had an equal chance, we will see what great advances can be made.  The almost joyful report of 'no results' for embryonic stem cells is not likely the be very satisfying in the end.  Religious leaders and others who have demanded that ESC be abandoned and all the money spent on adult stem cells stand a great chance of playing the fool.  We own it to ourselves to find out how embryonic stem cells function, what diseases they cause and what possible cures they can assist with.  

Tags: ESC, Adult Stem Cells, Embryonic Stem Cells

Opposing point of view

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Stem Cells In Tendons That Regenerate Tissue Identified In Animal Model

Science Daily — Athletes know that damage to a tendon can signal an end to their professional careers. But a consortium of scientists, led in part by University of Southern California (USC) School of Dentistry researcher Songtao Shi, has identified unique cells within the adult tendon that have stem-cell characteristics--including the ability to proliferate and self-renew.

The research team was able to isolate these cells and regenerate tendon-like tissue in the animal model. Their findings hold tremendous promise for the treatment of tendon injuries caused by overuse and trauma.

Stem cells seem to be leading to one opportunity and surprise after another during this decade.  This ability to repair tendons is probably another major shift in the way medicine is practiced.

Tags: tendons, Stem Cells, USC, Songtao Shi

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Scientists identify pancreatic cancer stem cells Scientists identify pancreatic cancer stem cells

PHILADELPHIA -- Researchers at the University of Michigan Medical Center have, for the first time, identified human pancreatic cancer stem cells. Their work indicates that these cells are likely responsible for the aggressive tumor growth, progression, and metastasis that define this deadly cancer.

In the February 1 issue of Cancer Research, the researchers demonstrate that only 100 of these stem cells are needed to produce human pancreatic cancer in half of mice tested. They also found these cells are at least 100 times more tumorigenic than cancer cells that did not have one of three protein markers they believe to be associated with pancreatic cancer stem cells.

The findings could help advance development of new therapies for this cancer, which has a five-year survival rate of only three percent -- the worst prognosis of any major cancer, said the study's lead author, Diane M. Simeone, M.D., an associate professor of surgery and molecular and integrative physiology.

"The cells we isolated are quite different from 99 percent of the millions of other cells in a human pancreatic tumor, and we think that, based on some preliminary research, standard treatments like chemotherapy and radiation may not be touching these cells," said Simeone. "If that is why pancreatic cancer is so hard to treat, a new approach might be to design a drug that specifically targets pancreatic cancer stem cells without interfering with normal stem cell function."

Today, we lost the great Pavoratti to pancreatic cancer.  Daily Kos went over his accomplishments and the affects of the disease.  People kept saying that stem cell research could lead to some cure and that the death might spur more interest in research.  I wasn't quite up to speed on what stem cells could do to work in this case.  Well, the article above gives some good ideas about how that might work. 

Tags: Pavoratti, pancreatic cancer, stem cells, University of Michigan Medical Center, Cancer ResearchPowered by Qumana

Chimeras to be allowed In the UK

A shortage of human eggs has led two groups of scientists to appeal to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for permission to make hybrid embryos from human skin cells and animal eggs.

This process would deal with the problem of a shortage of human eggs.

Link

Tags: Chimera, ESC, stem cells, UK, Biology

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UK likily to allowt chimera research

The UK's fertility regulator is expected to give its seal of approval to research on human-animal hybrids in the UK. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) published its consultation on the proposed draft Human Tissue and Embryos Bill yesterday, in which it said most people consulted were at ease with the creation of hybrid embryos.

The Bill paves the way for the creation of embryos composed of 99.9 per cent human, 0.1 per cent animal DNA. It prohibits "true" human-animal hybrids, but allows for so-called chimeras and cytoplasmic hybrid embryos. Any hybrid embryos would be allowed to divide for 14 days before being destroyed, and would not be allowed to be implanted into a womb.

The hope is that by using hybrid embryos, researchers can hone the techniques they need for research that requires human embryos, such as growing viable lines of stem cells.

England remains a center for advancement in biological research.  With the federal government locked in disagreement like it is in the United States, we can be thankful for the effort being made by our cousins across the pond.

Link

Tags: chimera, embryo, dna, hybrid, UK

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Parthenogenesis and Stem Cells

International Stem Cell Corp. in Oceanside said it has a kind of scientific solution to the ongoing ethical and legal challenges facing stem cell research.

A technology that derives stem cells from unfertilized human eggs, unlike human embryonic stem cells produced from fertilized eggs, is promising to land the company in the scientific spotlight.

It says its technology, called parthenogenesis, eliminates the need to use fertilized embryos and results in the creation of human stem cell lines that have the ability to differentiate into almost every type of cell in the human body.

This is particularly valuable to scientists who see the potential for repairing human tissues and for treating spinal cord injuries and other debilitating conditions.

ISC’s chief scientist is Dr. Elena Revazova, a Russian-born researcher who first discovered how to gather cells from unfertilized human eggs in the company’s Moscow laboratories

We can all hope for the success of this effort.  It deals with the problem of supply in adult stem cell research and helps with the ethical problem of Embryonic Stem Cell research. 

Link

Tags: Parthenogenesis, ESC, Stem Cells Dr. Elena Revanzova

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